For the first time in American history, a majority of union members are government workers rather than private-sector employees, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced on Friday.
In its annual report on union membership, the bureau undercut the longstanding notion that union members are overwhelmingly blue-collar factory workers. It found that membership fell so fast in the private sector in 2009 that the 7.9 million unionized public-sector workers easily outnumbered those in the private sector, where labor’s ranks shrank to 7.4 million, from 8.2 million in 2008."
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01...usiness/23labor.html
The private sector has spoken. Unions are an endangered species among those who work for private business. A major reason is that like the mammoth, cave bear and giant sloth (very appropriate), they have failed to evolve. Soon, their remains will be fossils.
The UAW is committing slow suicide. They insisted on benefits the auto industry couldn't support and refused to change until disaster was upon them. True, it was an assisted suicide. Auto executives agreed to the terms. Then, produced a product the public wasn't buying.
As manufacturing changed, the unions stuck by old rules. Workers recognized they received no benefits from associating with a dying species and ceased to join.
I will give a few unions like the Operating Engineers kudos. They developed training and certification for their members in a professional manner. Contractors recognize the value and hire such workers.
In a time of the knowledge worker, entrepreneurs and small businesses that will grow, in unhindered by the dead hand of unions, or the government, unions are the fourth wheel on a bicycle.
Only in the public sector are unions still growing. The reason is simply. Union bosses negotiate with politicians for increased benefits. Unlike corporate executives, politicians have no skin in the game. They can promise anything and not be held responsible for the outcome. In return the labor lords support the politicians -- the ultimate money laundering.
Army contracting professionals refer to this as the self-licking lollypop -- a thing that exists only for itself, with no actual use.
And, the taxpayer is left holding the bag -- empty of course.
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